US Threatens Nigeria With Military Aid Cuts Over Child Soldiers
The United States has placed Nigeria on its Child Soldiers Prevention Act blacklist, a move that could restrict military assistance, weapons sales and defence cooperation.
The designation appeared in the US State Department’s 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report, which identified Boko Haram and ISWAP as groups recruiting children for armed conflict.
According to the report, the restrictions could affect military training, foreign military financing, equipment transfers and commercial licences for weapons sales unless President Donald Trump grants a waiver.
Nigeria was among 14 countries listed under the legislation, alongside Russia, Iran, South Sudan and Somalia, over concerns about child recruitment and use.
The report also criticised Nigeria’s anti-trafficking efforts, stating that the country had failed to meet minimum standards for combating human trafficking for 15 consecutive years.
Nigerian authorities investigated 1,341 trafficking cases involving 1,367 suspects during the reporting period. However, the report recorded only 94 prosecutions and 97 convictions.
Although 2,004 trafficking victims were identified, just 675 received government-supported assistance, a significant decline from the 2,058 beneficiaries recorded during the previous reporting period.
The State Department also raised concerns about alleged official involvement in trafficking crimes, noting that Nigeria reported no prosecutions of government officials accused of complicity.
On child recruitment, the report alleged that Boko Haram and ISWAP used children as young as 12 for intelligence gathering, carrying messages and participating in armed attacks.
It further highlighted concerns about forced labour, exploitation of women and girls, fraudulent overseas recruitment and organised cybercrime operations targeting vulnerable individuals.
The potential restrictions come as Washington and Abuja continue security cooperation against terrorism, including joint efforts to combat insurgent groups operating in northeastern Nigeria.
The designation could affect aspects of Nigeria’s military partnership with the United States if applicable restrictions remain in force without a presidential waiver or exemption.
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